FORMER Head of State, Gen. Yakubu
Gowon (rtd), Monday relived the civil war 43 years after it threatened the
foundations of the country.
Gowon (rtd), Monday relived the civil war 43 years after it threatened the
foundations of the country.
Gowon, a major participant in the
war, explained in Yola, the Adamawa State capital, what forced his government
to be involved in the 30-month civil war which claimed hundreds of thousands of
lives.
war, explained in Yola, the Adamawa State capital, what forced his government
to be involved in the 30-month civil war which claimed hundreds of thousands of
lives.
Gowon, who was hosted by the
American University (AUN) of Yola to address the university members of staff
and students during his prayer rally in Yola, took 58 minutes 37 seconds to
defend before his local and foreign audience the role of his administration in
the civil war.
American University (AUN) of Yola to address the university members of staff
and students during his prayer rally in Yola, took 58 minutes 37 seconds to
defend before his local and foreign audience the role of his administration in
the civil war.
He said that he was not fighting
enemies, but rebels that were out to cause trouble and abuse constituted
authorities charged with the constitutional responsibility to maintain peace
and unity in the country.
enemies, but rebels that were out to cause trouble and abuse constituted
authorities charged with the constitutional responsibility to maintain peace
and unity in the country.
“Nigeria’s integrity was
threatened by the action of some rebels. I had no choice than to use the
constitutional powers conferred on me as the Head of State and my oath of
office to always defend the integrity and unity of the country at all times”,
he stated.
threatened by the action of some rebels. I had no choice than to use the
constitutional powers conferred on me as the Head of State and my oath of
office to always defend the integrity and unity of the country at all times”,
he stated.
The former Head of State said
that some Nigerians were misled by the rebels to join them to fight their
country for no reason.
that some Nigerians were misled by the rebels to join them to fight their
country for no reason.
“I was only trying to bring back
my sisters and brothers that were misled by the rebels. I took that action in
the best interest of my country Nigeria guided by the constitution of the country”,
he maintained.
my sisters and brothers that were misled by the rebels. I took that action in
the best interest of my country Nigeria guided by the constitution of the country”,
he maintained.
Gowon, who said that the civil
war united Nigeria, pointed out that the country would always use the sad
experience of the 1967 civil war and avoid such an unprofitable venture.
war united Nigeria, pointed out that the country would always use the sad
experience of the 1967 civil war and avoid such an unprofitable venture.
“The 30-month civil war brought
peace and unity in Nigeria that no country in the world can have”, he stated.
peace and unity in Nigeria that no country in the world can have”, he stated.
He said that the Boko Haram and
other crises in the country were fuelled by political activities, selfish
interest and poverty.
other crises in the country were fuelled by political activities, selfish
interest and poverty.
“I don’t know whether those that
are behind these crises know the havoc they are causing to their regions and
themselves”, he lamented.
are behind these crises know the havoc they are causing to their regions and
themselves”, he lamented.
Gowon urged Nigerians to devote
more time to praying for the country, pointing out that with prayers, God could
intervene in any sad situation like the crises in the nation.
more time to praying for the country, pointing out that with prayers, God could
intervene in any sad situation like the crises in the nation.
“If we combine prayers and the
action the present administration is taking to address the crises, it is
possible that very soon all that is happening now will become history”, he
stated.
action the present administration is taking to address the crises, it is
possible that very soon all that is happening now will become history”, he
stated.
While commenting on the
controversy surrounding the presidential pardon granted to the convicted former
Governor of Bayelsa State, Diepreye Alamieyeseigha, he said that the Council of
State took the decision based on the grounds that he had finished serving the
punishment for the offence he committed and that he promised not to commit such
an offence again.
controversy surrounding the presidential pardon granted to the convicted former
Governor of Bayelsa State, Diepreye Alamieyeseigha, he said that the Council of
State took the decision based on the grounds that he had finished serving the
punishment for the offence he committed and that he promised not to commit such
an offence again.
The Nigeria Prays co-ordinator
pointed out that it was within the constitutional powers of the president to
grant any person he chooses pardon.
pointed out that it was within the constitutional powers of the president to
grant any person he chooses pardon.
In her welcome remarks, the
President of AUN, Dr. Margee Ensign, said that Gowon and the United States’
former President Abraham Lincoln had the same experience of fighting to defend
their countries.
President of AUN, Dr. Margee Ensign, said that Gowon and the United States’
former President Abraham Lincoln had the same experience of fighting to defend
their countries.
She disclosed that Gowon was the
first Nigerian Head of State, former or serving, to visit AUN.
first Nigerian Head of State, former or serving, to visit AUN.
The AUN boss advised Nigerian
leaders to build on the foundation of Gowon and ensure the country remained as
one entity for fast development to take place.
leaders to build on the foundation of Gowon and ensure the country remained as
one entity for fast development to take place.
Source: Guardian
